Description

Originally bred for hunting, the Gordon Setter is a sturdy and athletic dog. They give off an impression of elegance, intelligence, and athleticism. They have large, beautiful oval eyes, with a clever and bright expression.  The large floppy ears are set quite low on the head. Gordon Setter have long necks but fairly short backs. They have deep chests, leaving plenty of room for the lungs. The strong, straight legs lead down to round, cat-like feet.

Origin: America

Look

The Gordon Setter has a black and tan coat, with shiny, wavy hair. The dog is mostly black, with tan paws and lower legs. They also have tan markings on their throats and muzzles, above each eye,  and two spots on their chests. The Gordon Setter’s fur is particularly long on the dog’s ears, chest, stomach, underside of tail, and back of the legs. They shed frequently, and need a lot of grooming to prevent tangles. A thorough brushing and combing two or three times a week should keep your Gordon Setter’s coat silky and smooth. Some dog owners also like to wash their Gordon Setter every two or three weeks.

Health

While the Gordon Setter is generally a healthy dog, they are prone to a few health conditions:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
• Hypothyroidism
• Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (Bloat)

At Newdoggy.com, we recommend that you buy your puppy from reputable breeders, who use genetic testing and good breeding practices to remove genetic conditions from their breeding lines.

Learning

The Gordon Setter is a very clever dog breed. They are even-tempered but at times they can be a little stubborn. They benefit from firm, consistent, and gentle training methods; positive reinforcement methods seem to work very well for Gordon Setters.  Harsh training methods can ruin this sensitive breed’s temperament.

Temperament

Gordon Setters are generally loyal and well-mannered. As puppies they are very energetic, but usually calm down as they grow up. Some Gordon Setters become quite fearful between the ages of six and nine months, but with calm and patient handling,  they usually grow out of this (if you are worried, consult a professional dog trainer or a veterinarian for advice).

Although friendly to their family, they tend to be more aloof around strangers, though not aggressive. The Gordon Setter is clever and will take advantage of inconsistent training. To avoid problematic behaviour, be consistent in handling your dog so that they understand what is expected of them; if you have difficulties, seek advice from a trainer.

Living with

If you’re interested in this breed, be aware that Gordon Setters need lots of exercise. If you love jogging or walking, then this breed is a great companion.  They will also be happy to play catch or fetch to burn off excess energy.  The Gordon Setter is especially energetic as a puppy, but they do calm down as they age. Until then, be prepared for an energetic pup who loves to run and jump up on you!

Due to their large size and need to exercise, they are not ideal apartment dogs. A home with a fenced garden or yard for your Gordon Setter to run in is best. They can be prone to separation anxiety, and hate to be left alone. This is not a dog that can be left to entertain itself in the garden: they are happiest when with their family.

The Gordon Setter is great with children, and will tolerate a lot of rough play. If they’ve had enough, they’ll just walk away. They are large dogs, so they are not ideal for toddlers; there’s a risk of a playful Setter knocking the toddler over by mistake. They also get on well with other pets, though they can be wary of strange dogs.